"Amanda's" Story

On the surface, “Amanda,”15, seems like a fairly typical high schooler.  She is a faithful attender of SOZO and has even been a volunteer with SOZO Kids the last two years since she accepted Jesus.  

I have interacted with her frequently on the nights she is at SOZO/SOZO Kids.  She has a strong faith in God and prays often, unintimidated to get help from the leaders when she needs it.  

On occasion, I have seen a glimpse of deep hurts that show themselves through anger or isolation/sorrow, but she has been good at keeping things hidden.

Recently I have had that privilege of becoming Amanda’s discipler/mentor and have learned more of what has been going on under the surface.

Amanda has missed the majority of school this semester and is failing all but one of her classes.  Last year was the same story.  Part of the reason is that during this last year and a half, her father has gotten very sick and then just before school started this fall, he passed away.  Her father did not communicate his love to her while she was growing up and she has deep hurt from this in addition to the hurt from his death.  Her and her mom are not close either and Amanda has become very skilled at pushing her away.  

Rejection has not just come at home, she is also fairly used to it at school as well through her peers--she longs to have friends her age at school, but has kept at a distance to protect herself.

Another reason school has been difficult is that last year a teacher told her essentially it was no use trying in her class, as she was going to fail anyway.  There is so much shame there.

Please pray for Amanda...for her healing, for hope, for confidence.  She is looking at her options for school, please pray for motivation, follow through and discipline.  Please also pray for me that the Lord would give me wisdom in leading her.

SOZO Snapshot

Christian rap music is playing loudly and you can smell the chili being prepared for dinner. There are several kids who have been coming for months, even potentially years who are greeting their friends and leaders with hugs. There are also some kids who are new--they come in more quietly and definitely on guard. 

This past week the leaders had joined in prayer for those kids we have not seen in awhile, asking God to bring them this week--many of these youth begin showing up! One gal we have not seen since summer camp comes in and her friends from camp and leaders run over to her.  I get to share with her that we have been praying for her specifically to come and the largest, dimple-filled smile comes across her face. 

After a prayer, the youth file in line (always ladies first!) for some chili and cornbread and leaders begin to mingle with the kids. I am cleaning up from dinner when all of a sudden I hear kids making loud noises--they are playing a trivia/basketball free throw game in teams. After the game, the SOZO Soljaz (SOZO youth who have written songs/raps as an outreach tool) get on the stage and sing a few of their songs from their new cd. Most youth are singing along and even dancing (including me)!

Then Myron (the SOZO pastor) has all of the youth sit to hear the message for the night. There are kids sprinkled all over the room. Most are engaged, but there are a few in the back who came for the first time--one, Hakeem, just out of Remann Hall (juvenile detention facility) with his friends who are all still involved with the gang lifestyle are less engaged (but they came to SOZO!) Myron then begins to share about how our anger can build defenses and push others away who are trying to love us, including the Lord.  Hakeem is called up to the front for a demonstration and Myron begins to share about his belief in him--that he is growing and that he knows he will make it. Hakeem is one of many who we have seen come in his position, get radically loved and decide to live their life for God.

Prayer is then made available and kids soon pile in leaders cars to go home. 

Thank you Jesus for Tuesday nights!